At a time when states are struggling to get out of the red, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and money is scarce, Yale University just concluded its largest fundraising campaign ever on June 30 with $3.881 billion raised over seven years.

Thomas Conroy, Yale spokesman, said it is particularly remarkable that the campaign exceeded its goal — $3.5 billion — during a time that "coincided with a difficult economic downturn."

"It demonstrates the strong devotion of the people who went here," Conroy said. "Because of what Yale has meant to their lives, they have been very supportive."

The campaign began quietly in 2004, raising a "nucleus fund" of $1.147 billion by 2006. In 2006, the campaign was launched officially with a goal of $3 billion.